NWDA And BAE SYSTEMS Launch Regional Initiative
09 Sep 2005
Today, 9 September, the Right Honourable Jack Straw, Foreign Secretary and MP for Blackburn, helped the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and BAE Systems launch a joint initiative aimed at sustaining and maximising the world class aerospace industry within the North West.
At a ceremony held at BAE Systems Samlesbury, the NWDA and BAE Systems announced that they have started conducting a review of the long-term site vision for the BAE Systems Samlesbury site, which could lead to development of the site into a Regional Aerospace Business Park.
This development would help to sustain/create thousands of jobs in the Aerospace industry and potentially could see hundreds of millions of pounds invested into the facility.
The project to potentially develop the site has come as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two organisations which will see them work together in developing a strategy for North West aerospace industry.
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: In line with the National Aerospace Strategy, BAE Systems and the NWDA are looking at the long-term future of the aerospace sector. The MoU will allow BAE Systems and other prime companies from the region to assist the NWDA in setting the Northwest Aerospace Strategy and its priorities for the future. The agreement to look at how we can work together to develop the sector will ensure that the Northwest remains key to the global market.
The Northwest aerospace industry is world class, with a leading science-based and high value added manufacturing and services sector. It is important that the public and private sector are facing up to the challenge and working together to capitalise on a strong long-term global market. The proposed development of the Samlesbury site can only benefit the regions aerospace industry as a whole.
Jack Straw, MP for Blackburn added: This represents a significant day in the UK aerospace industry. The NWDA and a leading aerospace company, such as BAE Systems, working towards a common goal maintaining and maximising the world class aerospace industry within the region should be applauded.
This initiative should undoubtedly help sustain and create thousands of jobs within the region and will help strengthen what is already a world class aerospace industry within the North West.
Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director, BAE Systems, said: Today represents a major step forward and offers a tremendous opportunity, not just to BAE Systems but to the whole of the aerospace industry in the region. The proposed development of BAE Systems Samlesbury will help the NWDA and BAE Systems maximise the skills, technology and knowledge that the region possesses, which will galvanise the regional supply base and provide a viable industrial base to attract inward investment.
About Northwest Regional Development Agency
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and has 5 key priorities: Business Development, Regeneration, Skills & Employment, Infrastructure and Image.
The NWDA works closely with a range of partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors to achieve a number of agreed objectives set out in the Regional Economic Strategy (RES). The RES is currently under review and the Agency is encouraging all organisations to get involved and contribute to this important debate to help shape the economic future of the region. Click here to find out more information.
Projects and schemes supported and funded by NWDA are largely delivered by other organisations at sub-regional and local level. The Agency underpins this process with a growing range of innovative services, professional expertise and a proactive management based around a number of inter-linked, operational teams.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, fighting vehicles, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 employees and generates annual sales of over 14.8 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.
For further information, please contact:
Paul Earnshaw, BAE SYSTEMS
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 855572 Fax +44 (0) 1772 85624
paul.h.earnshaw@baesystems.com
Sarah Moston, Press Officer
Northwest Regional Development Agency
Tel: +44 (0) 1925 400244 Fax: +44 (0) 1925 400405
Sarah.Moston@nwda.co.uk
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